PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Conrail announced today that its board of directors has named Timothy Tierney president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. Tierney succeeds Ronald Batory, who is retiring after nearly 46 years in the railroad industry.

A 39-year veteran of Conrail, Tierney most recently served as vice president and chief engineer, managing all of the company's engineering functions. Tierney assumed responsibility for locomotive assets, mechanical policy, and planning in 2002.

Prior to this role, Tierney worked in various positions of increasing responsibility within the engineering department, including division engineer of the Buffalo, Albany, and Philadelphia divisions. Between 1996 and 1999, he worked assignments at Philadelphia headquarters, culminating as chief engineer – system during the planning, transition, and implementation of the Conrail acquisition by CSX and Norfolk Southern.  

Following that transaction, Tierney played a critical role managing capital expenditures and overseeing the design, development, and project management of infrastructure projects.

"Tim Tierney has served Conrail with distinction and proven himself to be a successful, trusted leader with an exceptional commitment to hard work and safety," Batory said. "Tim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the rail industry and will continue to accelerate Conrail's commitment to providing safe, efficient service."

Batory joined Conrail in 1998 as vice president - operations, and was appointed president and chief operating officer in 2004. Jim Squires, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and CEO, said, "Norfolk Southern greatly appreciates Ron's leadership over the past 19 years and his more than four decades as a dedicated railroader. We wish him the best in a well-deserved retirement."

CSX Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sanborn served on the Conrail board of directors and worked closely with Batory for several years. "All of us at CSX have great respect for Ron's railroad experience and his continuous focus on teamwork," Sanborn said. "We wish him a happy retirement."

Prior to Conrail, Batory served as president of The Belt Railway Company of Chicago. He spent more than 20 years working for both eastern and western Class I railroads in addition to assisting a court-appointed trustee's successful oversight of a regional railroad bankruptcy.

About Conrail
As a terminal and switching service provider for its owners, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern, Conrail provides safe and efficient rail service for local rail freight customers in Detroit, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The Company plays a critical role in serving shippers and receivers on behalf of its owners. As a local rail service provider, Conrail ensures that customers' freight shipments are safely and efficiently moved between their rail sidings and the long distance freight trains operated by CSXT and Norfolk Southern.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern